AREAS
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Appraisal
Consulting
Risk Management
Credit Analysis
Retail Management
Marketing
Sales
Public Relations
Finance and Banking
Economic and Policy Analysis
Commodity Trading
Farm Management
EMPLOYERS
Agricultural businesses
Production industries
Credit agencies, banks, brokers
Real estate and appraisal services
Public/private market analysis firms
Farm information services utilizing mass communications
County agricultural offices
Purchasing/supply firms
Feedlot operations
Federal government
Private foundations
Farm cooperative services
Feed and seed companies
Self-employment
STRATEGIES
Plan on securing a masters or doctoral degree for advanced positions. Gain work
experience in area of interest through internships, co-ops, or summer or part-time
work. Get involved in campus and community organizations. Learn the federal
job application procedure for government work.
AREAS
EXTENSION/EDUCATION
EMPLOYERS
Schools
Extension services
Agricultural agencies
Agricultural communications and media firms
Agribusinesses
Government agencies
STRATEGIES
Obtain teacher certification for public school positions. Develop excellent
writing and speaking skills. Take courses in economics and community development.
Learn to work well with all types of people. Develop strong interpersonal skills.
Be willing to live in rural communities for extension positions.
AREAS
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Power and Machinery
Structures and Environment
Electronic Systems
Soil & Water Conservation
Food Engineering
Engineering Technology
EMPLOYERS
Equipment design, testing, and manufacturing firms
Equipment and food industries including: processing, packaging, and storing
Quality control organizations for food, feed, or fiber
Biotechnology research firms
Environmental consulting firms
Local, state, and federal government
Public health service
STRATEGIES
Gain experience through co-ops or internships. Develop strong math skills and
problem solving abilities. Earn an advanced degree for positions in research
and development.
AREAS
ANIMAL SCIENCE
Research
Inspection
Farm Production and Management
Veterinary Science
Sales
EMPLOYERS
Genetic research organizations
Agribusinesses: meat, poultry, feed
Government laboratories
Livestock producers
Feed companies; Feedlot operations
Supply and equipment industries
Extension services
Veterinary practices
Universities
STRATEGIES
Gain extensive laboratory and research experience. Get experience in a veterinary
medical practice and prepare for application to veterinary school. Obtain knowledge
of sales and business principles if interested in that area. Develop good communication
skills.
AREAS
FORESTRY
Forest Recreation
Resource Interpretation
Resource Management
Wood Products/Utilization
EMPLOYERS
Local, state and federal government including: Forestry Service, USDA, National
and state parks, and Reserves
Research Centers
Lumber, pulp, and paper industries
Private industry
Landowners
Nature centers
STRATEGIES
Develop physical stamina, resourcefulness, and outdoor skills. Gain experience
through volunteer opportunities or internships. Be willing to relocate.
AREAS
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
Law Enforcement
Conservation
Resource/Range Management
Wildlife/Fisheries Biology
Aquaculture
EMPLOYERS
Local, state, and federal government including: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks,
Wildlife refuges, and Management areas
Private industries (e.g. aquaculture production firms)
County/municipal agencies
Foundations, museums, nature centers, zoos
Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
Develop physical stamina, outdoor skills, and attention to detail. Plan to earn
a business minor or take additional communications courses including conflict
management. Earn a minor in criminal justice for game management. Develop interpersonal
skills. Obtain paid or volunteer experience while in school.
AREAS
PLANT & SOIL SCIENCES
Crop Production Management
Research
Environmental Science
Plant Breeding
Soil and Water Conservation
Soil and Plant Tissue Analysis
Pest Management
Farm Management
Sales
EMPLOYERS
Extension services
Federal agencies
Agribusiness
Construction agencies
Plant propagation/production agencies
International agricultural agencies
Harvesting and fertilization manufacturers
STRATEGIES
Find a related internship. Develop effective communication skills. Supplement
curriculum with courses in business, geology, entomology, or pathology depending
upon interests.
AREAS
ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE & LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Growing/Production
Design
Landscape Construction
Nursery Management
Arboriculture
Turfgrass Management
Sales
Plant Therapy
EMPLOYERS
Landscaping firms
Parks and amusement parks
Golf courses
Cemeteries
Large hotels and resorts
Industrial sites
Wholesale growers: nurseries, greenhouses, florists
Retail outlets
City and highway departments
Botanical gardens and arboretums
Floral designers
Government agencies: local, state, and federal
Colleges and universities
Self-employed
Health-related organizations and community centers
STRATEGIES
Get practical experience in the field through internships or summer and part-time
jobs. Develop skills in speaking, writing, and photography. Minor in business
if interested in management or self-employment. Be prepared to work seasonally
or move to a climate where more year-round opportunities are available. Earn
Registered Horticultural Therapist licensure for plant therapy.
GENERAL INFORMATION
For entry-level positions, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. A master’s
or doctoral degree is often necessary for advancement. Some federal and private
agency work, consulting positions, and especially research positions require
a graduate degree.
Obtain volunteer, part-time, summer, internship, or co-op experience in field of study.
Develop excellent computer skills.
Join a student club or student professional association to network and cultivate related academic interests.
Many students apply to professional programs such as pharmacy, medical, or veterinary school with an agriculture and natural resources background.
Majoring in two subject areas or pursuing a minor can increase marketability. For example, study in landscape design and business can lead to higher-level management opportunities.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University
of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA
/ADEA Employer